Desk



Nov. 29, 1960 J. s. S'UDLER 2,962,336

DESK

Filed July 16, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

B JAMES S. SUDLER ATTORNEY Nov. 29, 1960 J. 5. SUDLER 2,962,336

DESK

Filed July 16, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

JAMES 3 SUDLER BY 1 J. 5, SUDLER 2,962,336

DESK Filed July 16, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet :s

IN VEN TOR.

JAMES S. SUDLER BY ATTORNEY J. S. SUDLER Nov. 29, 1960 DESK 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 16,- 1956' INVENTOR. JAMES 5f .SUDLER ATTORNEY United States PatentO" DESK James S. Sudier, 1200 E. 3rd Ave., Denver, Colo.

Filed July 16, 1956, Ser. No. 598,105

7 Claims. (Cl. 312-208) This invention relates to desks and more particularly to desks which are adapted for use as check writing desks and similar purposes.

In a financial institution, such as a bank, check writing desks are quite often merely elongated brackets attached to a wall, or they may be supported in a position more centrally of the room or enclosure in which located, as by a pedestal. However, previous check writing desks and the like have been provided with open ended compartments beneath the top of the desk, or upright stands placed on the desk or attached to a wall, for supplying the users with necessary forms, such as deposit slips, blank checks and the like. Such forms are not always as convenient for access as might be desired, while pens or similar writing instruments, while requiring ink bottles for use prior to the advent of ball point pens, still tend to be mislaid, dropped or otherwise mistreated so that they are either unavailable for use when needed, or so damaged that proper use is difiicult. Some depositors fill out deposit slips at the time of deposit, in which case not only must the items be entered, but the addition of the items must be made, so that the total of the deposit can be arrived at. However, with several items of deposit, it is only natural that mistakes in addition will occur, which require a teller or other employee of the bank to check the addition on .each deposit slip. This is time consuming and the forms and the like must ,be corrected in the event an error is discovered. Thus, it is of particular advantage to depositors of a bank, for instance, if an adding machine is available at a check writing desk 'so that the addition of items of .deposit may be accurately made. However, adding machines are normally bulky and cumbersome, so that if merely placed on the desk for use, there is great danger of the machine being accidentally dislodged from the desk and damaged. Also, when an adding machine is placed upon a desk which is at approximately the desired height for writing purposes, "the keyboard of the machine is elevated higher than is desirable for the greatest comfort in use. Another problem involves waste paper and the like, since waste paper baskets resting on the floor tend to be moved about and also may interefere with the normal use of the desk. Thus, if a waste basket is in a convenient position for use, it is invariably in such a position that it may be :accidentally stumbled over or interfere with the positioning of the feet of someone using the desk, particularly when several persons are using the desk at the same time. .A pleasing appearance, of course, is almost a necessity for a desk or the like used in a banking institution or the like, but this cannot always be combined with the greatest resistance to use and wear.

Among the objects of this invention are to provide a novel desk or the like, particularly adapted to be used as a check writing desk or the like; to provide such a desk which provides ample room for use by a plurality of persons; to provide such a desk with which may be incorporated an adding machine, which also may be prottected against accidental dis'lodgement, and the keyboard of which may be placed at a convenient height for use, while the machine itself does not tend to interfere with the usual operations performed at the desk; to provide such a desk in which forms, such as deposit slips, blank checks and the like, are placed in a readily accessible position, but without interference with the normal use of the desk; to provide such a desk in which pens or similar writing instruments may be installed in a readily accessible position, and may also be attached to the desk in such a manner that the possibility of their being dropped or mislaid is reduced to a minimum; to provide such a desk which includes a novel receptacle for waste paper and the like, and particularly such a waste receptacle which is incorporated in a novel manner with a tray or the like for holding forms, such as blank checks, deposit slips and the like; to provide such a desk in which various information, including the calendar date and any special information which the bank or institution might wish to display, may be made available for view without interfering with the normal use of the desk; to provide such a desk which has a pleasing exterior appearance andalso is sturdy in construction; to provide such a desk having a top, a portion of which may be readily removed for repair or replacement; and to provide such a desk which may be readily constructed.

The foregoing and additional objects of this invention, as well as the novel features thereof, will become apparent from the description which follows, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of desk particularly adapted for use as a check writing desk and constructed in acco-rdance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the desk of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the .desk of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a condensed, enlarged longitudinal vertical section, taken along line 4.4 .of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical transverse section, taken along line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a unit which forms the central portion of the top of the desk;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a supporting frame for the desk .top;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view, on a further enlarged scale, of a form tray which is adapted to contain forms, such as deposit slips, blank checks and the like;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, enlarged longitudinal section, taken along line 99 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 10 is an enlargement of a portion of Fig. 9, showing particularly a pair of pens and pen holders.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, a desk constructed in accordance with this invention may include a top supported by a standard S, the latter including a central column having a cover 10 of material which is both decorative and long wearing, with a series of outwardly inclined legs 11 attached to the lower end thereof; The

lateral extent of the legs 11 is preferably less than the lateral extent of the top, as will be evident from Figs. 1 and 2, while each of the legs 11 may be provided with a floor engaging button 12, formed of hard rubber, plastic or other suitable material, or for which casters or rollers may be substituted. The legs 11 may be formed by a core, such as steel, and a cover of bronze or other suitable decorative material, the cover conveniently being separate from the core, but may be integral therewith. Thus, the cover may be bronze, as indicated, or may be stainless steel, or may be a chromium or other plating on the core. As in Figs. 4 and 5, the central column of the standard S may comprise a core 13 formed of steel tubing or pipe around which cover 10 extends, the cover 10 conveniently being formed of two semi-cylindrical sections joined together along their edges, while the cover for the legs 11 may extend across the top and along each Patented Nov. 29, 1960 side of each leg. The parts visible from above, as in 'Fig. 3, may include a panel 14 having a cross-shaped aperture in the center to accommodate a central unit U, panel 14 conveniently being formed of plywoodhavjng upper and lower veneers of hardwood, such .aswalnut, although ,the panel 14 may be formed of glass, marble, metal or othersuitablematerial. Theouter ,edge of panel 14 may beprovided with an edging strip 15 ,formed of metal, such as bronze, or of a relatively hard plastic, such as Formica, conveniently attached to the outer edges of panel 14 by a suitable adhesive and a locking tongue 16, as in Figs. 4 and 5. The parts of the central unit U maybe formed-f bronze or other suitable metal, preferably the same'as the metal of the cover 10 ,tlfcir the column of standard S and the cover for the legs The central unit'U may include a lid 18 for the central portion thereof, provided with an aperture 19 therein for upward passage of an adding machine tape, the keyboard 20 of an adding machine A (see Fig. being normally visible and being positioned within an aperture 21 of a plate 22. A rectangular rim 23 may support a removable tray 24jhaving a rim 25, shown also in Fig. 5, adapted to receive a panel 26 formed of the same material as thepanel 14, as in Fig. 1, or a glass panel, such as pane 27 of Fig. 5, beneath which bulletins or other material may be displayed on a panel 28 supported by the bottom of the tray 24. Tray 24 may, of course, be lifted out to provide access to the space beneath. The unit U may also include spaced inner walls 29 connected by strips 30 and 30' to form a rectangular space covered by lid 18, as Well as a pair of rims 31 and 31 with each pair extending outwardly from the respective wall 29 and also defining a rectangular space at each end of the unit, "in each of which spaces a form tray T or T, respectively, may be received. The space between each rim 31 and 31 and the ,correspoding form tray T or T provides access to a waste paper receiving space or compartment beneath each of the form trays, such as space W of Fig. 4, which is highly convenient to use and eliminates the necessity for separate waste baskets on the floor. The outer ends of each pair of rims 31 and 31 may be connected by an end wall 32 and 32, respectively, on the outside of each of which may be mounted a pen supporting shell 33, so that a pair of pens, in a manner described in greater detail later, may be placed at each corner platform 34 of the shell 33, while matches or other desired articles may be placed within a Well 35. The top of each shell 33, as well as the top of the keyboard 'plate 22 and the rim 23 is preferably at the same elevation as the panel 14 of the desk top, while lid 18 and the upper edges of the rims 31 and 31' are preferably slightly elevated thereabove, as will be evident from Figs. 1 and 2.

The top panel 14 and also the central unit U are supported by a frame F, shown in Fig. 7, which is cross shaped and provided with a heavier bottom plate 36, which may be welded to column core 13, as in Figs. 4 and 5. Framework F may be a casting, as of steel, or the parts thereof may be cut and/ or formed to shape and welded together, as shown. A transverse adding machine well is bounded by bottom plate 36 and bottom plates 37, side walls 38 and end walls 39, bottom plates 37 conveniently sloping upwardly to each end Wall 39, while a longitudinal space at each end is bounded by pairs of upright, longitudinal flanges 40 and 40' across which are connected upright end flanges 41 and 41', respectively. Each of the walls 38 and flanges 40 and 40' may "be provided with horizontal, outwardly extending flanges 42, while end Walls 39 and end flanges 41 and 41 may be provided with horizontal, outwardly extending flanges 43 for supporting panel 14, the flanges 42 and 43 conveniently being provided with holes, as shown in Fig. 7, through which screws or other suitable devices may exfend, for removably fastening. panel 14 thereto. The

central unit U may be merely placed on and partially within the frame F. As in Figs. 4 and 5, cover plates 44 and 44, formed of bronze or other suitable decorative material, may extend between the underside of each of flanges 42, 43 and cover 10 of the standard S, being attached to frame F in any suitable manner, as by cap screws. All of the cover plates 44 and 44' may, of course, "be attached together, as by welding, to form an integral unit, or the cover plates 44 and 44' may be individually attached to frame F. It will be noted that a cover plate 44 forms the bottom of the waste paper space W, as in Fig. 5, since the weight to be supported is small, but is greater in the case of the adding machine A, supported by bottom plates 36 and 37 of frame F, as in Fig. 5.

The form trays T and T are similar but complementary in construction and each, as in Figs. 4 and 8, may include spaced side plates 46, each having an arcuate, inwardly offset inner end 47 and an angular outer end 48, to correspond to the lower portion of the outermost plate 49 of a series of inclined or slanting tray plates 49. A lip 50 may extend between the upper-edges of the .inner ends 47 of side plates 46, while .a strip '51 may extend, as in Fig. 4, between the side plates 46 adjacent the upper edges thereof at an outer position. Tray plates 49 may be secured between side plates 46, as by welding, while the lower ends of the spaces between the tray plates 46 may be closed by transverse strips, or flanges 52 formed integrally with the respective plates 49, so as to form a series of inclined pockets or spaces in which forms, such as deposit slips, blank checks and the like, may be placed. The slanting position of the forms not only permits them to be removed more readily from the pockets, but also increases the visible extent of the printing at the top of each form, for readier identification.

Each form tray T and T may also be readily pivoted into and out of position, :as through engagement of the strip 51 witha bar 53 mounted on the inner-edge of each outer rim 32 and 32, while the inner lip 5% may rest on an inner bar 54 mounted on an inner wall 29 of the unit U, and .beneath which, as in Fig. 6, may be mounted a pair of curved side plates 56 reinforced by a bottom plate 57 and between which the inwardly offset ends 47 of the side plates of form tray T or T fits. At the outer end of each form tray T or T, an angle 59 having a clip 60 at the lower edge of its bottom leg for attachment to the upper edge .of the outermost tray plate 49', which is shorter than the other tray plates 49 for this purpose, may rest on strip 51 and may be provided with a pair of grooves 61 and 62 in its upper surface, as in Fig. 4, angle 59 being formed :as a single piece, or as shown, may be formed of several pieces attached together in a-suitable manner, as .by welding. Grooves 61 and 62 are respectively adapted to receive a plate 63 and 64, as in Fig. 8, indicating the day and month of the par ticular date. A supply of day and month plates may be stored within trays 65 and 66, shown partly in full and partly in dotted lines in Fig. 5 and disposed at each side of a paper holder 67. Paper holder 67 may be mounted on a bottom plate 37 of frame F and may be provided with a central removable shaft 68 on which a roll of paper tape for the adding machine A is mounted, while the paper from the roll mounted on shaft 68, after pass ing through the machine, emerges through the slot or aperture 19 in lid 18. To facilitate inspection or insertion of the paper into the adding machine A, lid 18 may be removable bodily, conveniently being provided with flanges 69 and 69 adapted to -flt over strips 3.0 and 30'. A pair of springs 70 may be associated with lid flange 69 and adapted to catch under strip 30, as in Fig. 5, while lid 18 may also be provided with a latch 71 at each side and a catch 72 for the latch may be mounted on the corresponding wall 29. Plate 22 may also be removable, as by pivoting its inner end upwardly, and may conveniently be held in-position by a clip 74, as in Fig 5, adapted to engage an inwardly extending flange 75 on the corresponding end wall 39 of frame F.

Each platform 33 of each shell 32, as in Figs. 3 and 6, may be provided with a pair of holes 77 beneath each of which, as in Figs. 9 and 10, is attached an angularly disposed socket 78 for a pen 79, while a chain 80 may extend through an adjacent hole 81. One end of each chain 80 may be attached to the upper end of a pen 79 and the opposite end attached to the underside of platform 34, while each chain 80 may be provided with a weight 82, which not only limits the movement of the respective pen 79 away from platform 33 to a distance corresponding to the engagement of weight 82 with the underside of the platform, when the pen is removed from the socket and the chain is pulled through hole 81, but also pulls the chain down through hole 81 when the pen is replaced in socket 78. Thus, the chain is automatically pulled by weight 82 to the position of Fig. 9 whenever a pen 79 is replaced in a socket 80. This is of particular advantage to the user of the pens, since it is unnecessary for the user to replace the chain when replacing the pen. A removable box 83 having a central partition 84 may be disposed beneath each platform 33, to provide separate compartments for each chain 80, while the inside of these compartments may be lined with felt or other suitable material to minimize noise as the weight and chain drop back into the compartment.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that a desk constructed in accordance with this invention fulfills to a marked degree the requirements and objects hereinbefore set forth. The use of a steel or other suitable metal for the core of the legs and column of the standard S results in reduction of the cost of the'standard since the cover for each of the column and legs may be formed of suitable decorative material which need not be particularly thick, thereby reducing the cost of the same. Also, a central unit or structure which includes the principal parts which require support or attention facilitates the assembly of the desk and also minimizes the time required for servicing, such as supplying forms. The incorporation of an adding machine in the desk permits the user to add the total amount of the deposit on the machine, thereby reducing errors on deposit slips and the like, as well as for similar purposes. The combination of a receptacle for waste paper and the like with a form tray or the like, wherein a slot at each side of the form trays provides a passage to the waste paper receptacle, not only adds to the facility with which the user of the desk can dispose of waste paper, but also eliminates the necessity for a waste basket on the floor under or about the desk. Since the form trays are readily lifted out, the waste paper space is readily cleaned. The use of a platform supported directly by the standard column assures that the adding machine and paper roll holder will be adequately supported and at a suitable height for use. A central cover plate, having a slot through which the adding machine paper or tape is fed, facilitates the use of the machine, while the removability of the plate and other plates permits ready access to the paper roll holder. The majority of the area of the desk top is smooth and available for use, as by several persons simultaneously, while the pens may be located in a readily accessible position. The chains by which the pens are attached to the desk prevent loss or misplacement of the pens, while the pen chains do not lie in interfering positions on the desk top after use, since the chain weight pulls the withdrawn portion of each chain back into the chain well.

Although a specific embodiment of this invention has been described, it will be understood that various features thereof may be used in a desk, without necessarily using the remaining features, while other embodiments may exist and various changes made therein, all without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

, 6 What is claimed is: p 1. In a desk for check writing purposes and the like;

including a top and means supporting said top, the improvement comprising a tray adapted to receive articles such as forms and the like and removably mounted in the top of said desk, said tray including spaced side plates and a plurality of spaced, inclined tray plates extending between said side plates and one end of said tray being provided with an annular member having an upper surface and transverse grooves in said upper surface for receiving plates indicating a calendar date or the like.

2. A desk for check writing purposes and the like, comprising a top panel member having a central, cross-shaped aperture therein; a central unit received in said aperture and corresponding in shape thereto, thereby having laterally extending and longitudinally extending arms, said unit having walls forming a rectangular central section, said lateral arms being formed respectively by a removable panel having an aperture therein and a panel having a bottom and said longitudinal arms each being formed by spaced parallel side walls extending from and an end wall spaced from the adjacent wall of said central section, and a removable cover for said central section having an aperture therein; a tray for forms and the like removably mounted in each of the longitudinally extending arms of said central unit, each said tray being provided with, means for receiving forms and the like in an inclined position and each side of each tray being spaced from the adjacent side wall of said arm to provide an opening for access to the space beneath said form tray; a shell on each end wall of said longitudinal arms, said shell providing a well and at least one platform adjacent said well; a frame corresponding in shape to said central unit and having upper, outer flanges for attachment to said top panel, a lateral well having side walls, end walls and a bottom, and spaced walls extending longitudinally from said side walls of said well and end walls connecting said spaced walls; a cover for the underside of said frame and forming a bottom for each of the spaces beneath said form trays, whereby said spacer may receive waste paper and the like; a standard for supporting said frame; thebottom of one lateral arm and the central section of said frame being adapted to support an adding machine or the like having a keyboard with said keyboard positioned in the aperture of said removable panel; and the other lateral arm of said frame being provided with means for rotatably supporting a roll of tape for said adding machine, said tape being adapted to extend through the aperture in said cover for said central section of said central unit.

3. A desk for check writing purposes and the like, comprising a top panel member having a central, cross-shaped aperture therein; a central unit received in said aperture and corresponding in shape thereto, thereby having laterally extending and longitudinally extending arms, said unit having walls forming a rectangular central section, said lateral arms being formed respectively by a removable panel having an aperture therein and a panel having a bottom and said longitudinal arms each being formed by spaced parallel side walls extending from and an end wall spaced from the adjacent wall of said central section, and a removable cover for said central section having an aperture therein; a tray for forms and the like removably mounted in each of the longitudinally extending arms of said central unit, each said tray being provided with means for receiving forms and the like in an inclined position and each side of each tray being spaced from the adjacent side wall of said arm to provide an opening for access to the space beneath said form tray; a frame corresponding in shape to said central unit and having upper, outer flanges for attachment to said top panel, a lateral well having side walls, end walls and a bottom, and spaced walls extending longitudinally from said side wall of said well and end walls connecting said spaced walls; a cover for the underside of said frame and forming a bottom for each of the spaces beneath said form tray Whereby said spaces may receive waste paper and the like; a standard for supporting said frame; the bottom of the lateral wells of said frame being adapted to support an adding machine or the like having a keyboard, with said keyboard positioned in the aperture of said removable panel, and also to receive means for rotatably supporting a. roll of tape for said adding machine, said tape being adapted to extend through the aperture in said cover for said central section of said central unit.

4. In a desk for check writing purposes and the like, including a top and means supporting said top, the improvement comprising a tray adapted to receive articles such as forms and the like and removably mounted in the top of said desk, said tray including spaced side plates and a. plurality of spaced, inclined tray plates extending between said side plates, said side plates being inwardly offset at one end and the ends ofsaid side plates being arcuate at said end; and a pair of spaced plates having concave edges and mounted in position to removably engage the said end portions of said tray side plates.

5. A desk for check writing purposes, comprising a top having an opening and a work surface of substantial extent around said opening; means supporting said top in horizontalposition; compartment means having a bottom wall, an open top and upright side walls; means supporting said compartment means in said opening; a tray adapted to receive articles such as forms and the like, said tray having a bottom and upright side walls and being smaller than said compartment; and means supporting said tray in said compartment means with the bottom of saidtray above the bottom of said compartment and at least one side wallof said tray spaced from the corresponding side wall of said compartment means, said compartment means forming a space for receiving waste paper and the like and the space between said side walls of said tray and compartment means providing an access opening for said waste paper space.

6. A desk for check writing purposes and the like, as defined in claim 5, wherein the walls defining said compartment for receiving waste paper and the like provide an opening for access to said compartment at each side of said tray.

7. A desk for check writing purposes, comprising a top having an opening andawork surface of. substantial extentsaid compartment with the bottom of said tray above the bottom of said compartment and at least one side wall of said tray spaced from the corresponding side wall of said compartment; means for mounting an adding machine or the likehaving av keyboard on a lateral arm of said unit with such keyboard within a lateral portion of said opening; and means for supporting said top and said unit in horizontal position.

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